John Kani

John Kani Profile Photo

Characters played by John Kani

T'Chaka — Black Panther (2018)

The former king of Wakanda and father of T'Challa, whose death sets off the events of Black Panther.

King T'Chaka — Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The former king of Wakanda and father of T'Challa, whose death sets off the events of Black Panther.

Rafiki — The Lion King (2019)

Eccentric mandrill shaman who guides Simba spiritually and physically.

Rafiki — Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Wise mandrill shaman who guides the royal family and preserves the kingdom's history.

Colonel Ulenga — Murder Mystery (2019)

Military figure tied to the sequel's conflict.

Colonel Ulenga — Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Royal guard and loyal ally to the Maharajah in the sequel.

Samuel — The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Samuel is the Kenyan foreman who works closely with Patterson during the crisis. He advises building thorn fences, recognizes the danger of the paired predators, remains at the camp after the workers leave, assists Patterson's hunts, and throws him the rifle used to kill the final predator.

Sgt. Jesse Blake — The Wild Geese (1978)

A member of Faulkner's assembled crack team of ex-military mercenaries. Participates in the African mission and the subsequent life-or-death struggle against the betraying forces.

Brick — Seal Team (2021)

The elderly and stubborn leader of Seal Island who dismisses the seals' fear of sharks. After Quinn confronts him about the impending danger, Brick acknowledges the threat, leads the seals for the sardine run, and eventually joins the final battle.

School Principal — Sarafina! (1992)

The School Principal is the weary administrator responsible for maintaining order during the unrest. Although pressured by the police to blame students for the school fires and riots, the principal initially refuses to accept their accusation. The character oversees the school environment in which Sarafina and her classmates resist official control.

General Cominius — Coriolanus (2011)

A veteran Roman general and mentor figure to Coriolanus. He officially bestows the name Coriolanus upon the hero following the capture of Corioles. Later, he accompanies Volumnia to the Volscian camp to help broker the peace treaty that saves Rome.

Moses — The Grass Is Singing (1981)

A domestic servant on Dick Turner's farm who becomes involved in an affair with Mary Turner as she grows increasingly unstable. When he learns that Dick is planning to send Mary away, Moses murders her during a rainstorm. The police arrest him and lead him off in handcuffs.

Career Overview

John Kani has 49 screen credits in a career dating back to 1970. Their work spans 6 cinematic universes — most prominently The Lion King with 2 titles. Signature works include The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King, Murder Mystery 2. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
49
Birth Date
1943-11-30
Birth Place
New Brighton, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 6 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q6242471), public domain (CC0).